With major newspapers cutting investigative departments around the country including along the Central Coast of California Karen Velie and Dan Blackburn were concerned that major stories would go uncovered. In late 2007 the pair of veteran newspaper reporters launched their own online outlet focused on just the type of journalism they felt was lacking—hard news and investigations. Initially Velie and Blackburn launched as Uncovered SLO (San Luis Obispo) an online-only news site but the name has since changed to CalCoast News to allow for broader regional coverage.